WriterCoach Connection

WCC launches new e-newsletter

As the new year dawns, WriterCoach Connection is launching a new monthly online newsletter. We're excited about this opportunity to connect with our program stakeholders in a way that will enable us to deliver timely news and program updates. Look for the WCC Online News in your inbox soon!

Albany Education Foundation says yes to WCC, and we say thank you!

The Albany Education Foundation has generously contributed a total of $1,000 to teachers Ned Purdom at Albany High School and Bob Pressnall at Albany Middle School, to help pay printing costs associated with WriterCoach Connection in their classrooms during the 2008-09 school year. The AEF has done superb work for years on behalf of Albany teachers and students, funding classroom mini-grants throughout the district.

Regarding WriterCoach Connection, AEF President Dianne McNenny says, "Your program brings skills to the students that will serve them well in the future. A wonderful program for our community!"

WCC jumps in again to help BUSD score student assessment essays

In January, WriterCoach Connection will help with the second writing assessment for Berkeley schools for this school year. We helped score BUSD student assessment essays in the fall and we're ready to help again. Teachers and other district personnel really appreciate our support, which we will offer for all four essay scoring sessions this school year. We always like to represent WriterCoach Connection as a resource for schools and districts!

Probing beneath that scowl

 

There was one student I coached who had had a different coach the previous week.  When I picked up the student he scowled at me and I thought, "Oh oh, what am I in for?"  When we sat down I saw he had nothing on his paper and was still scowling.  Somehow it dawned on me to ask him if he would have preferred his regular coach.  He nodded his head in agreement and just then his regular coach came up near us with some folders.  I explained to the student his regular coach could only take three students this time rather than four due to the coach's schedule.  We both assured him he would have his “preferred” coach next session.  Like magic, the student's countenance changed and we finished with a good coaching session.
 
Sometimes I forget students at this age are "metamorphosing" from children into young adults.  Their bodies are changing dramatically. They are like little flower buds with tender petals just beginning to open to the world.

 

---Nancy Whitney, WCC site co-coordinator, Albany Middle School

A holiday gift packed with meaning

Just after Thanksgiving, a dedicated and festive group gathered around the dining room and kitchen tables of Community Alliance for Learning board chair Kathy Kahn to fold, assemble, stuff, staple, stamp, and mail the WCC winter newsletter and annual year-end fundraising letter. This time of year always presents an opportunity to express gratitude for the endless generosity of everyone who responds to our annual campaign by writing checks or visiting our website to click the Donate Now button. When you do that, you help ensure that our students will get the individual attention they deserve from our coaches all through this school year, and that next year's students will be as fortunate.

And speaking of gratitude, many thanks to those who gathered at Kathy's tables that chilly December evening to sip wine, eat pizza and brownies, share a lot of laughs, and send out our newsletter and fundraising letter. Our intrepid volunteers that night included:

Anna Berdick
Caroline Webber
Denis Clifford
Eliza Clark
Kathleen Hallam
Kathy Kahn
Katie Koelle
Laura Marlin
Lisa Awrey
Lynn Mueller
Martha Rossman
Renee Watkins
Sahib-Amar Khalsa
Suzy Ronfeldt

Special thanks to Kathy for hosting, to Anna and Lisa for helping with the comestibles, and to Lynn for
masterminding the production of materials. Please consider making their efforts worthwhile by responding to our fundraising plea with anything you can manage. And thank you!